What is art therapy?
Art therapy is an art-based process where an individual creates, views and analyses their artworks. Art therapists provide their clients with the freedom to create works that represent their feelings and ideas. Art therapy sessions help clients improve their communication skills, self-expression, and self-awareness. All of these traits contribute to personal growth. Art therapists offer a valuable service since they assist those who are going through the following psychological or mental health problems:
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Dementia
- Eating disorders
- Muscle tension
- High blood pressure
- Substance abuse
- Fears and phobias
- Family or relationship problems
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Point Cook art therapists can join the following art therapy and counselling professional organisations:
- Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)
- Professional Association for Arts Therapy in Australia and New Zealand (ANZATA)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Should you study art therapy?
Are you passionate about using your creativity to assist individuals in achieving a better quality of life and emotional well-being?
If this is what you want to do with your life, a career as an art therapist may be the ideal option for you! Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need to be artistic or have a flair for art in order to work as an art therapist. Instead, you'll need the following skills and qualities, which is also what hiring managers look for when hiring art therapists:
- Strong listening skills: It is critical to have excellent emotional intelligence throughout the session when dealing with a client in order to be able to more accurately assess their sensory, emotional or physical state.
- Good problem-solving skills: to interpret and evaluate data and visual indicators from the client's work.
- Strong organisational skills: as you'll need to balance numerous duties with conflicting priorities while still providing the optimal possible service to your clients.
- Retain knowledge quickly: there is a lot of aspects in art therapy that you are required to know such as different art tools and ability and you also need to have a good understanding of human behaviour.
- Caring demeanour: you will need to prioritise the health and welfare of your clients.
If this fits your professional objectives and interpersonal skills, continue reading to discover more about the courses accessible in Point Cook, Victoria.
What are the course and study options for art therapists in Point Cook?
In Point Cook, a Master's degree is the minimum educational requirement for prospective art therapists. To begin, you must pursue an undergraduate degree in counselling, psychology, social science, or another related field. After that, you'll need to complete a postgraduate art therapy degree. There are a number of different course providers in Point Cook that can provide you with a range of learning options that best matches your schedule and preferred learning styles such as on-campus, online or blended learning systems.
You'll learn from skilled practitioners with decades of expertise in both teaching and operating in their fields. The following are some examples of the art therapy units:
- Theory
- History
- Mental health
- Creative exploration in art
- Art therapy techniques
- Communicating with clients
Furthermore, you'll need to complete 750 clinical hours with a professionally trained art therapist while pursuing your Master's degree.
Are you looking for information about becoming the next art therapist in Point Cook but don't know where to begin?
You'll find more information about these courses of study right here, which will help you achieve your goal of becoming an art therapist in Point Cook. If you've narrowed down your choices to four or fewer, you can contact each one of them personally and ask any additional questions about their program.
- Curriculum
- Delivery structure
- Tuition fees
- Entry requirements
- Professional support programs
This will help you make a well-informed judgment on the art therapy course that is best suited to your current needs and future career aspirations.
What happens after you complete your art therapy course in Point Cook?
As an art therapy graduate, you will be eligible to join the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)Maintaining your practising as an art therapist in Point Cook will also necessitate fulfilling the yearly standards of the Continuing Professional Education. As a professionally accredited art therapist, there is a wide variety of workplace settings that are continually looking for art therapists to join their team:
- Assisted living facilities
- Psychiatric wards
- Mental health agencies
- Clinical research facilities
- Schools
- Crisis centres
- Domestic violence shelters
- Aged care facilities
If you want to have more control over your business management and how you run your art therapy sessions, consider starting your own business specialising in art therapy. This is a great option for art therapists who feel confident in their skills and abilities to work with clients. Natural Therapy Pages will be there to assist you with the exciting yet challenging process of establishing your own private practice. All you have to do is register to list your in-person art therapy consultation or online services via the practitioner listing page. This is a fantastic approach to increase the number of visitors to your services and even expand your client base.
